Wellington junior Brent Naden was a late inclusion after winger Brian To'o was ruled out with an ankle injury and looked strong during the match.

Waqa Blake opened the scoring capitalising on a Dylan Edwards error to race away and score for the Eels before Kurt Capewell hit back just minutes later to level the scores at six-a-piece.

Nathan Cleary calmly slotted a penalty goal on the half-time siren to give the Panthers an 8-6 lead which it would remain for the rest of the match thanks to some wonderful defence from the Penrith side.

Following the match, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary told the media he was impressed with the effort of his side without the football.

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"It was a good old fashioned semi-final tonight," he said.

"I thought we had the run of the play in the first half and we had our chances but just couldn't finish them off.

"They got a try out of nothing really.

"Second half I thought we dominated field position but again we just couldn't ice them and break down their defence which was outstanding I thought.

"I thought it was fitting that we finished the game with a defensive stand.

"I think we've had to learn how to win different ways this year and our defence certainly held up tonight."

Cleary still believes Penrith are getting better and knows they are in a good place ahead of their mouth-watering clash against Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

"We're improving that's where we are at," he said.

"Against the reigning premiers, where else would you rather be."

The Panthers narrow win means they will now face the defending premier Melbourne Storm for a spot in the grand final between the two best sides of the season.

Naden could line up again for the Panthers in the preliminary final but To'o is expected to return from injury which could force the Wellington junior or Edwards out of the side.

The winner of the Panthers and Storm match will take on the victor of the other preliminary final between South Sydney and the Manly Sea Eagles which will be played on Friday night.

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